CCTGA - Adult Congenital Heart Association

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E A D U L T C O N G E N I T A L H E A R T A S S O C I A T I O N
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ACHA Q and A:
Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CCTGA)*
What is CCTGA?
Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
(CCTGA) is a rare heart defect in which the heart’s lower
half is reversed. It is also called L-TGA. It is different from
and much less common than “regular” transposition of the
great arteries (TGA or D-TGA). To understand CCTGA, it
helps to first understand how a normal heart works.
A normal heart is divided into two sides. The right side
pumps blood from the body into the lungs. The left side
pumps the blood from the lungs out to the body. Each
side has an atrium and a ventricle. The atrium acts like a
“waiting room” for the blood. The ventricle does the hard
work of pushing the blood out to the lungs or body. At
the entrance and exit from each ventricle is a valve, which
acts like a door. These valves allow the ventricle to fill
with blood from one side, and then push it out the other.
Normal
Heart
Congenitally Corrected
Transposition of the Great Arteries
(CCTGA)
Each ventricle and valve is designed to do its specific
job. The right ventricle is designed to give the blood a
gentle push to send it to the lungs. It is bigger than the
left ventricle and does not have as much muscle. The
left ventricle is designed to give the blood a strong push
out to the body. It has less space inside because its
thick walls take up more space. The valve between the
left atrium and ventricle, the mitral valve, is the body’s
strongest valve. It is designed to stay shut against the
strong push of the blood out to the body.
About 0.5%–1% of all babies born with heart
defects have CCTGA. This means there are
about 5,000–10,000 people in the United States
with CCTGA.
In CCTGA, the two ventricles and their attached valves
are reversed. Your weaker, larger right ventricle grows on
your heart’s left side. It pumps your blood to your body.
Your stronger, smaller left ventricle grows on your heart’s
right side. It pumps blood to the lungs. You also have
your body’s weakest valve—the tricuspid valve—serving
as your mitral valve.
*Please note: This article is directed to those who
have not undergone a double-switch repair.
KEY:
RA – Right Atrium
RV – Right Ventricle
PA – Pulmonary Artery
LA – Left Atrium
LV – Left Ventricle
Ao – Aorta
AAo – Descending Aorta
Image courtesy of Curt J. Daniels, MD, and Dennis Mathias
How common is CCTGA?
About 0.5%–1% of all babies born with heart defects
have CCTGA. This means there are about 5,000–10,000
people in the United States with CCTGA.
How does CCTGA develop?
In the womb the heart starts out as a simple tube. It then
bends in two, creating the right and left sides of the heart.
In CCTGA, it folds in the wrong direction. The ventricle
meant to grow on the right side is on the left. The ventricle
meant to grow on the left is on the right. Because the
valves are part of the ventricle, they are also reversed.
What causes CCTGA?
We do not know enough about what causes CCTGA.
The studies we have now suggest that CCTGA is rarely
passed from parent to child. One study reported that of 120
parents with CCTGA, none had babies with heart defects.
Another 2001 study reported an increase of CCTGA in
areas with certain toxins. More research is needed into the
causes of CCTGA and other congenital heart defects.
How is CCTGA diagnosed?
Some babies born with CCTGA have heart murmurs, heart
rhythm problems, and/or show signs of heart failure. If they
©The Adult Congenital Heart Association

also have a ventricular septal defect (VSD) they may also
be cyanotic (blue). In these cases a diagnosis is usually
made in infancy. However, it is not unusual for CCTGA to
be found later in childhood or adulthood. This is because
you can have no symptoms and have CCTGA. Often it is
the start of new heart symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of
CCTGA. Sometimes it is found accidentally when routine
heart tests are done.
Echocardiography can be used to diagnose CCTGA in
adulthood. But the heart’s unusual shape makes imaging
CCTGA difficult. Many doctors now prefer cardiac MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging) when evaluating CCTGA.
For those with implanted devices that make MRI impossible,
CT (computed tomography) scans can be used.
What is the long-term impact of CCTGA?
One of the mysteries of CCTGA is its wide range of
outcomes. Some people born with CCTGA live into old
age with no or few problems. On the other hand, some
babies born with CCTGA die in infancy. Many people
diagnosed with CCTGA have no or few symptoms as
children and young adults, but develop more problems
as they age. There are three common problem areas:
• Heart rhythm problems
Almost everyone born with CCTGA has an abnormal
atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV node sends the
electrical signals from the top to the bottom of the
heart. Many people with CCTGA develop heart block.
This means there is a blockage in the signal. Your heart
may not be able to beat as quickly or efficiently as
it should. In complete heart block, your atria and
ventricles start to beat separately. This can cause
light-headedness and fainting. In rare instances it can
be fatal. Pacemaker therapy is used to treat heart block.
Up to 45% of those with CCTGA need pacemakers.
• Valve problems
Many people with CCTGA have malformed tricuspid
valves. The overload on this valve can also cause or
worsen leaking. Replacement of this valve is sometimes
recommended. When done early, replacing this valve
can improve symptoms. Heart function may also be
protected and/or restored. However, valve replacement
can only be done if your heart function is still relatively
good. Valve replacement in CCTGA should only be
done at centers that specialize in ACHD surgery.
• Heart failure problems
Some people with CCTGA develop heart failure. Heart
failure is when the heart is too weak to pump blood
efficiently. Many medications now exist to help with heart
failure. If heart function is only mildly weakened, valve
replacement may also be considered. There are also new
pacemaker therapies which can improve your heart’s
ability to serve your body. If heart failure becomes too
severe, a heart transplant may be considered.
What other defects are common in CCTGA?
In addition to VSD and tricuspid valve problems
(discussed earlier), pulmonary stenosis, single ventricle,
and dextrocardia are also common. Pulmonary stenosis
is a narrowing between the heart and the lungs. This
can cause pressure problems in the heart. Up to 50% of
those with CCTGA also have pulmonary stenosis. Single
ventricle is when the hole in the heart is so big that the
two ventricles merge. The right and left ventricles become
two sides of a common chamber. About 40% of those
with CCTGA also have a single ventricle. Dextrocardia is
when the heart is on the right side of the chest. About
20% of people with CCTGA also have dextrocardia.
If you have CCTGA you should see your
cardiologist regularly, even if you feel fine. New
heart problems can occur with no symptoms.
Can women with CCTGA have children?
Most women with CCTGA can have children successfully.
The exceptions are if your heart function is too weak, if you
have serious lung problems, and/or if you have low oxygen
levels in your body. If you have CCTGA, it is very important
that you consult with a specialized ACHD clinic before
you get pregnant. If you become pregnant, your ACHD
cardiologist and your obstetrician will take special steps to
protect your heart during your pregnancy and delivery.
What kind of cardiology care is recommended for
adults with CCTGA?
The American Heart Association and the American College
of Cardiology classify CCTGA as a highly complex heart
defect. This means that experts recommend that you get
your care at a special ACHD center. You can find a listing
of ACHD clinics at www.achaheart.org.
If you have CCTGA you should see your cardiologist
regularly, even if you feel fine. New heart problems can
occur with no symptoms. Many treatments that can help
strengthen and protect your heart work best if started
early. It is also important that you continue to protect your
heart from infection (endocarditis) by taking antibiotics as
recommended by your cardiology team.
The good news is that most people with CCTGA continue
to do well. One study showed that three out of four
patients with isolated CCTGA were free from heart failure
at age 45. By taking good care of your heart, and getting
recommended care, you can help ensure that you and
your “backwards heart” continue to thrive.
Thank you to Amy Verstappen and Drs. Karen Kuehl and
Daniel Murphy, Jr. for their contributions to this article. ■
©The Adult Congenital Heart Association